The best country money can buy

The Supercity legislation imposed on Auckland without referendum, ECan abolished, the 90-day law imposed on workers without a select committee process, CERRA slammed through making Gerry Brownlee dictator, The Rugby World Cup Empowering Act, and, now, the Hobbit Enabling Act to be rushed through today because a foreign corporate (supposedly) demanded it. National does not care about democracy, our political and economic rights are just inconveniences in their eyes.

“The obvious relief that the two Hobbit movies will be made in New Zealand will be somewhat tempered by the fact that the Government has buckled and increased tax write-offs for large-budget films, benefiting Warner Bros by up to $20 million.

On top of that, the company walks away from what insiders say were tough negotiations with another $13.4 million to offset the films’ marketing costs.

Far more unseemly, however, is the Government’s kowtowing to Warner Bros and agreeing to put legislation before Parliament as soon as today to clarify the distinction between “independent contractors” and “employees” as it relates to the local film industry.

Not only that. The legislation will be passed straight through all its stages, which means no select committee scrutiny.

What kind of a country, however, sells its democratic soul for 30 pieces of silver?”

The answer is a craven one run by a snivelling little money man who has no loyalty to New Zealand and the rights we have fought so hard to win. Whether Key has sold our sovereignty to foreign big business, or National is just exploiting this situation to attack workers, the result is the same: workers lose, big business wins, and democracy is overridden by those with the cheque books.

Let us not forget that an old mate of Key’s was in the Warners negotiating team.

A great comment coming off Armstrong’s article sums up what kind of country National is turning us into:

“FOR SALE, cheap: New Zealand. No offer (or demand) refused. Need an inconvenient law changed? Want some tax breaks? Mr Key is your man. Want to buy some land? How much do you want?”

a) You can claim a home office as an expense
b) You can claim travel costs
c) You can claim communication expenses
d) You can split the income between you & your partner, thus reducing your tax bill.

Replace Actor with Builder, funny how most of the teams that have contracts for large developers aren’t wanting to be classed as employees.

With the announcement now of Avatar 2 & 3, sure looks like Weta & Co are going to be busy for a few years. Actually, I wonder if the announcement of those 2 projects was delayed due to this industrial action.

It depends whether you want to be a contractor, and whether you’re compensated for loss of holidays, sick pay, potential redundancy, ACC costs, etc etc, or whether it’s imposed on you without extra money.
You need to earn almost twice as much as a contractor as you get as an employee to cover your additional costs. Yes, it does open many tax loopholes and ruses to you, but that doesn’t always add up to much for the scrupulous.

The vast majority of people working in film and TV (from producers on down) are already contractors. They were hired as independent contractors before this, and will continue to be after this. That is the norm in the industry and it makes sense given the nature of it.

No one was going to be an employee before and will now be a contractor. The only issue this is addressing is avoiding a repetition of a single case where a contractor claimed, after his contract was terminated, that he was an employee and won. It was a very confusing case for other film industry workers, as they understand their working conditions and situation.

If actors and other film and TV workers were employees it would be incredibly complicated for them. Grips, for example, may work on hundreds of jobs a year for different companies, some will overlap – as an employee that’s almost impossible. The same is true of actors – they are frequently working on multiple projects, which is generally incompatible with the employer/employee relationship.

Yes, it won’t make a difference to a lot of film workers, as they are already contracting.

I don’t know about your argument that a grip will have hundreds of jobs – particularly in this country – or that you couldn’t be an employee with multiple jobs. Both are quite possible, and indeed done (I had about 4 part-time jobs at university as I recall, without conflict).

The difference will not be for actors, or others who are flitting between projects, and have accepted being contractors. It will be for people who were employed by 1 production company, working on multiple jobs for them. Programmers and artists creating special effects. Roadies who set up sites. And model-makers, who work on project after project.
These people may want job security (they may have families and mortgages), and now there’s no chance they’ll get it. They may well get screwed down on pay and conditions, as they don’t realise their extra expenses. Employee protections were fought for and put in place for a reason.

Maybe hundreds was a bit optimistic – a hundred is possible though, and certainly is the case for some.

And while it’s possible to be an employee with multiple jobs it becomes very difficult when the employers are all in the same business. Typical employment contracts have non-competition and conflict-of-interest clauses and a variety of other provisions that aren’t very practical.

The majority of our ‘film’ industry is devoted to quite short term work too – a few days to a few weeks, which it rather impractical for a typical employee relationship. For actors that’s even more pronounced, as even on a longer-term project an non-core cast may only be required for a small portion of the production period. For the core cast of Hobbit or a show like Shortland St an employee position might be viable, but for the majority of productions it really wouldn’t.

“The majority of our ‘film’ industry is devoted to quite short term work too – a few days to a few weeks, which it rather impractical for a typical employee relationship. For actors that’s even more pronounced, as even on a longer-term project an non-core cast may only be required for a small portion of the production period. ”

and those people can be contractors if they like.

but if someone is actually working as an employee they should be able to get the rights of an employee if they so desire, no matter what the boss put in the contract

ok, so you are contracted for 25 weeks work @ a fix price of $50K. Out of that $50K, you take off $4K for ‘Home Office’, $2.5K for transportation, $1K for communications – you end up with $42.5K. Split that between you & your partner, gross wages is $21.5K each.

As an employee $50K = $1473 per week take home
As a contractor $50K split as above = $1420 per week take home.
Difference over 25 weeks = $1325 which is still $6K better off being a contractor

Except there would be GST at 15% on that $50k, which amounts to $7.5k and wipes out your $6k better off pretty quickly.
Off the top of my head there’s also ACC and a whole lot of miscellaneous costs around administering the company.

I’ve been a contractor for years too. Before that I managed contractors for more than a decade.
Saying the $50k must have GST paid out of it (i.e. includes GST) if it is paid under an employment contract, but excludes GST if paid to an independent contractor is not comparing apples with apples.

Not to mention the grief IRD may give you, they have pretty tight re claiming for these things and you can’t work more than 75% (I think) for one employer. You also don’t get paid for your holidays and sick leave (or kiwisaver employer subdsidy). Good accountants don’t come cheap if you want to do it prperly.

Most contractors charge per hour, rather than get a fixed price. Indeed your calculation doesn’t make much sense to me. You seem to be just throwing numbers around.

Why do you get to split it between you and your partner? They are not doing the work.
Even if you somehow go for that ruse and could get away with it (there are a lack of tax inspectors after all), what if you don’t have a partner, or they work?

What if you want to take a holiday during that half-year? You don’t get paid.
What if you are sick? You don’t get paid.
On your $50K you’ll have to pay ACC instead of the employer paying for you.
Odds are you can be dismissed a lot more easily – usually termination is on the employer’s terms. There’s no unfair dismissal recourse if you believe it to be unfair.

And the ACC is twice as much because, as a contractor, you have to pay both the employers and the employees part.

That said, I’m actually in favour of everyone becoming a contractor as everyone should be operating under the same rules so that the pricing signal is accurate rather than irrational. Of course, it would only work if we also had a Universal Income. It would also help if we had an IRD administered version of MYOB Live so that people would have immediate access to the necessary accounting tools.

One thing I noticed about contract work is that when the contracts dry up you have a very large chance of losing everything. This means either that contractors need to be paid a hell of a lot more (my nephew in 2k8 was bringing in ~$150k, had saved up quite a bit but it didn’t last through the first year of the recession even though he had work and building work is still going down) so that when there’s no work each person can get by on their savings or that society must make up the difference.

“On your $50K you’ll have to pay ACC instead of the employer paying for you.”
Are you out of touch with reality ? When you get paid as an employee, factored in to the PAYE tables is your own personal ACC levy – which is iirc 2% of your gross. Yes the employer also has to pay an additional ACC levy (calculated against the risk of the job that company works within).

Why do you get to split your income ?
a) Because it’s done 95% of the times with ma & pa small businesses.

If it helps, for the current financial year a self-employed’ (contractors are considered as ‘self-employed’) builder earning $50 000 net would be looking at ACC levies totalling $3 250. Of this, $889 (before GST) is related to Earners Levies, the portion that the employer would usually pay.

You know I am sure that similar trolls said comparable things about Nazi Germany in the 30’s, you know something like if you are against the gassing of jews and trade unionists then you are against Germany …

You are such a hysterical mess when people disagree with you Greg – pretty much a fail for a lawyer I would have thought.

And come to think of it, where has this “naziism” line been every time CV utters “Why aren’t you supporting the noble workers of NZ” line? Oh no, principles only apply when they suit your side, right? You’re gonna make an awesome parliamentarian, Greg – just do what Phil tells you, that’s exactly what we need more of.

What is the definition of a contract? The two essential elements are OFFER and ACCEPTANCE. If the production company offers a contract to a person to work as a contractor, and the recipient accepts it, we have a legally enforceable contract between the parties; what the heck is wrong with that?

Because the employment relationship is not equal. People need to work and nearly everyone takes the terms that are offered to them. People don’t shop around or bargain because there are fewer jobs than job-seekers (250,000 jobless, remember?).

If you get offered work as a ‘contractor’ but you want to be an employee and the work is actually in the nature of employment, are you going to turn it down and remain unemployed? No, you can’t afford that luxury. But that doesn’t mean you sacrifice your work rights.

Employment law has recognised for a very, very long time that employment is a matter of fact, not just what is stated on a piece of paper.

http://www.dol.govt.nz/lmr/lmr-hlfs.asp as of August. Try 160,000 unemployed and seeking work. Being on a benefit doesn’t mean you are jobless, and including all beneficiaries in your inflated total to support your weak argument makes it even weaker.

Oh, and as a contractor who has a young family, wife etc, the crap spouted here about it being fine for young and mobile, further crap. Im 46, love contracting and the freedom it brings.

I take it you’re not working for less than minimum wage for the hours you do then? I take it that you get to pick and choose the work you take on, which clients, and how many hours a week you want to work?

Well guess what, for a lot of the so-called ‘contractors’ on Jackson’s sets, none of that applied because they were contractors in name only, and expected to turn up and behave/be managed as employees.

Its wrong, and the Govt should not be selling out the rights of our workers to a foreign multinational.

Minimum wage? No, generally $1200 a day, average, plus expenses. Ive gone back into it after a few years off because we have just built two rooms onto our house for the kids
Pick and chose the work? Not even – the work I do is highly specialised, and there are maybe 100 companies in NZ where I can do it – and Ive done it in around 40 of those, and get repeat work
Hours? Vary between 8 on a good day and 24 on a bad day. Flexibility required

And its funny, where are the contractors who were on Jacksons sets? They dont seem to be complaining much?

Its not wrong, its called freedom of choice – just as I chose the right to contract, I dont begrudge anyone else the ability to join a company or a union.

And I was skiting where you knob? Since when is a statement of fact skiting? $1,200 is fuck all for what I do, and the reason I charge so little is because I dont work offshore anymore. Do take your head out of your arse, its most unbecoming.

Oh, and I had my fair share of jobless over the years – and not once claimed a benefit. Always found work doing something – anything, including moving boxes around a warehouse for 3 months – because I could and because I know that sitting on my fat arse helps no one – least of all me.

“Oh, and I had my fair share of jobless over the years – and not once claimed a benefit. ”
Well, all I can say is you’ve been bloody lucky mate! I have been prepared to do the small woman’s equivalent of labouring work, but believe it or not, bosses want experience even for hotel maids!
As for telemarketing at midnight, they want teenagers, (and good luck getting them, teens have better things to do) because teens don’t necessarily have to be self-supporting and are happy to take minimum wage on the promise of a commission…
Deb

My ex was running a contracting business, making about the same sort of money you are. Up until the earthquake. All of his clients (including University of Canterbury) have put their projects on hold for 6+ months, so he has absolutely no work now. He’s shutting the business now and moving back to the US.

Don’t assume that you’re somehow ‘better’ than the unemployed – something you have no control over could easily come along and screw you out of your job.

And that’s the nature of contracting. When the going is good it can be very lucrative. But you’re at the whim of the industry. I know heaps of people who do the same work I do for a lot more money, but they don’t always know where their next paycheck is coming from – usually they’re busy, but sometimes not. I’ve chosen to seek salaried employment instead as the stability is very important to me – but that is a choice I’ve made.

I take it you’re not working for less than minimum wage for the hours you do then? I take it that you get to pick and choose the work you take on, which clients, and how many hours a week you want to work?

Well guess what, for a lot of the so-called ‘contractors’ on Jackson’s sets, none of that applied because they were contractors in name only, and expected to turn up and behave/be managed as employees.

The contractors on Jackson’s sets (and all the other film and TV sets) are sure as well paid above minimum wage, they can pick and choose their work, and the number of hours they want to work.

They can choose to take a longer-term contract on the film, or they can choose not to and take work on other productions instead.

They take contracts to fulfill their roles in the productions, which does indeed require turning up when they are told (their call time), otherwise the production is held up. These people choose to work in this industry and their contracts are incredibly variable, from a half-day on a commercial set to 4-9 months on a film set. In accepting a contract on a feature they are agreeing to deliver a service to the production – the industry guidelines that outline how those services should be practically managed are contained in the Blue Book (for technical crew) and the Pink Book (for cast). They outline hours, breaks, notice periods, penalty rates, downtime, and a massive range of other things. And these guidelines are followed by the vast majority of productions, and deviations are discussed with affected crew and cast – despite what Equity might say.

Contractors in the film industry have a much better working environment that contractors in many environments who have no industry working guidelines or anything else.

There was no mass of cases regarding contractor / employee definition before the employment courts before this hobbit beat up? Just like there was no crisis and need for the 90 day fire at will law. Just opportunistic ideology from Nact as per usual.

“20 hours of free care to be reviewed, says Tolley…”
The Hobbit beatup has been a great diversion for National. I guess parents could always leave their kids home alone watching the Lotr / hobbit full box set instead , probably around 20 hours run time all up..

“There was no mass of cases regarding contractor / employee definition before the employment courts before this hobbit beat up?”

Did you know about this particular court case before the hobbit beat up? How many other people do you think didn’t know about the court case now? How many other people will now be thinking “hmm, I wonder if I could sue my employer”…

so you support national selling our sovereignty because we’re small and the economy is bad under National? Next you’ll be saying we should just sign over the coutnry to China because they’re big and growing fast

It doesnt really matter what I support. I am just saying that adding the context to the quote changes the slant of the opinion piece (funnily enough on the front page of the Herald they quote it the same way, possibly to draw the reader in to the full text on page 2).

But if you really want to know I do support removing trade barriers for all companies and individuals in NZ. If the balance of power is shifted slightly from sovereignty over the subjects of NZ to individuals then hooray.

No we don’t. Now, if we were putting in all the resources and getting all the returns I might be but that’s not happening. We’re putting in a fairly significant amount money (20% to 25%) and, from what I can make out, Warner Bros. are getting the all of the returns (the actual profits).

“Warner Bros. are getting the all of the direct returns (the actual profits).”
Fixed that for you.

Tourism from LotR was apparently a big money spinner, and I expect that The Hobbit will probably be even more so. Key’s gimmicky ad for NZ on the DVD might actually make quite a difference in the long run, too.

This issue typifies this gov’t approach on so many issues:
a) whip up an emotional debate using the MSM’s 20 second attention span and inability to check/verify anything you say.
b) fan those flames with more dis-information so the original issue is long buried in emotional baggage and unrelated tangents, see point (a) for tips on how.
c) Resolve the issue as you expected however this will be so much better then expected under (b) the great unwashed will be grateful and believe you need (d).
d) Use urgency to bypass the annoying select committe process remembering to rope in the MP, if they want something go see the baldy man as he’s easily blackmailed err I mean aligned.
e) smile and wave and avoid question time unless lockwood has given you a ‘Don’t Answer’ card.
f) repeat (d) should further issues arise.

What I don’t get about this is how did people think it should work before?

I take work as a contractor with a film company, including all the benefits that entails (expenses, tax write offs, etc etc etc) until such time as I want to gain some of the benefits of being an employee (sick pay, holiday pay) – then I just go to the Employment Court and claim them?

This doesn’t make EMPLOYEES (people with an employment contract) who work in these industries into contractors. All it does it make it clear that contractors aren’t employees (although not very well, but then the ERA seems confusing on that issue to start with).

I am an employee in the film/tv industry and I have no concern about suddenly losing the benefits of my employment. Nor do any of the contractors I know (many of my co-workers) seem concerned about not suddenly being able to make employment court claims later on.

The difficulty I see with enforcable conditions is that the nature of contracted work can be quite different to an employee relationship. It would be difficult to draft minimum terms that would be clear enough in the variety of conditions they may cover – just thinking about the variety of contract jobs I know about in the film industry.

yeah but the PPTA isn’t likely to have any of Sideshows mates he can buddy up to in negotiations nor can it offer him some photo or union bashing opportunities however if they commissioned Spielberg and got some gov’t dosh to make a movie…..now we’re talking.

So we can expect John Key to intervene in the PPTA dispute and chuck cash at teachers to stop them from going overseas, It’s not like the teacher strikes are any urgent pressing crisis… the show must go on.

Conclusion – Patrick Gower is a twit.
The unions did not give Warners or Jackosn a cent. John Key dipped into the taxpayer’s purse instead. Don’t beat around the bush – it was John Key that gave them the money. Let him take responsibility. A little union forced his hand? Yeah, right.
I must answer this bit of Gower’s exceptional piece of rubbish:
“But the conspiracy theory advanced by unions that Jackson and Warners set this all up to get some cash out of the government is just ridiculous.”
I have no doubt that if this opportunity had not arisen another excuse would have been found to try to get a bigger subsidy. Do you really believe that Warners would have carried on without a whimper if the financials were the same and the only difference was a compliant workforce? Their job is to make money (preferably by making movies) and they have plenty of experience.

Funny how we colour our reactions to people like McLeod. I had read the same piece and thought it to be a very inept piece of careless writing full of bias and prejudice. I think that she is well past her sell by date.

NACT trying to implicate Labour is involved with all those nasty unions to undermine the Hobbit. But also slamming Labour and The Greens for being quiet on Labour Day – eg Hidney did a song & dance about that.

Labour has been hammering that they have seen an email dated 18 Oct that shows Warners agreed that union action was over.

Opposition parties referred to Jackson’s report asking for increase in subsidies a few months back, as well as strongly repeating criticisms about issues of sovereignty, the government shaming NZ by acting like a banana republic bowing to an overseas corporate, and the lack of process in rushing through the law change, thus undermining our democracy.

Mallard targetted Brownlee’s lack of attention to the issue, (eg as highlighted in Jackson’s report, and references to how Mallard kept up relations with with Warners, so they would act as soon as an issue came up, tweaking things). Consequently he said Brownlee allowed the whole issue to get out of hand.

Also opposition MPs asked why Wilkinson/Minister of Labour was not at the negotiations with Warners, when Warners were asking for a change in NZ law.

In Question Time, Locke asked Brownlee about use of urgency that meant that the public and people employed in the industry don’t get the opportunity to make submissions. Brownlee replied that there was an online digipoll that told him everything he needed to know about what the public supported.

And maybe this says everything we need to know about how this government operates.

The Close Up poll tonight showed surprisingly that only 55% approved of Key’s actions and 44% thought that Key had sold us out. (Not the exact words.) Bit surprising given the time and effort to “sell” Key’s cleverness.
Brownlie seemed to be saying that Warners did not demand a law change. Therefore Key must have offered it.

Its also a law that ordinary kiwis support, imagine being an extra and getting to work with martin Freeman, imagine being a resturant owner and and having 500 to 1 1000 cast and crew walking past your business, imgaine being a worjker and wanting more hours and getting it, imgaine when this movie sells millions of dvds and people want the speical features, this is win, win, and if Helen Clark was still prime minster you guys will be saying how great it is.

“Its also a law that ordinary kiwis support, imagine being an extra and getting to work with martin Freeman, … imgaine when this movie sells millions of dvds and people want the speical features, this is win, win, and if Helen Clark was still prime minster you guys will be saying how great it is.”
I am leaving your spelling as it is, Sean…
But with your first sentence, you are saying that NZ actors are adolescents? “Wow, I don’t care if I get screwed, I am gonna work with a *star*!”
I will not be buying DVDs and I couldn’t give a toss about the special features. Probably I will rent the DVDs (if I can). Thanks to NACT I am unemployed, and DVDs are a luxury to we unemployed people…

Its not about working with a star, Martin Freeman isnt Britney or Keanu, he has his history in therate and is best known for his work on the english verison of the office, any young actor would love to learn from him, its not about being star struck, its about learning from the best and he is the best. He is also a heck of a nice guy.

Welcome to New Warnerland as the DVD’s will advertise it. And in Hobbitville playing Smorg will be Jonkey. You can watch him reveling in guarding the jewelry in his cave.

When does filming commence?
Wouldn’t be in Warnerland aka Nuzilnd sometime in 2011 would it?) Given that Nuzilnd’s parliamentary sovereignty is being traded away by this “Jodrell Banker” there may be some suddenly-available actors around the beehive.

How would we find out what blind trusts had connections with the filming industry.

Anybody seen Bill English this week? Is he sitting somewhere seething and sharpening knives? He’s a Treasury man and they are diametricly opposed to these sort of tax breaks and winner-picking and I would imagine that he does not like being stiched up.

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Image credit: Rachel Knowles – Successful blogging workshop Big problems with Sitemeter The problems with SiteMeter are still bad this month. No data could be obtained for about 50 blogs using SiteMeter. People have also reported strange results. So if… ...

The post-Maui Ministerial Press Conference is just wrapping up, where Ministers yet again were unable to conclude a deal. The Press Conference was heavy on platitudes but light on detail of actual progress, with Ministers trailing out the oft-repeated mantras around… ...

If New York can make most of Central Park car free, then why can’t we do the same with the Domain. That was my thought when watching this video from Streetfilms. Last week, people walking and biking on the Central… ...

Grim Faces And Patriotic Words: With a few, well-chosen, words, Key could place the 2017 General Election beyond the Opposition’s grasp. The Left has been clamouring for New Zealand’s negotiators to reject the TPPA in its current form. But… ...

. . On 14 December, 2010, there was great excitement and jubilation in the Beehive when then-Corrections Minister Judith Collins announced; “This Government is committed to a world-class Corrections system in New Zealand. To achieve that, we must have access… ...

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The news that Tiwai Point Aluminium smelter will remain open is good news for the 800 workers at the plant and the people of Southland, but points to a need for a comprehensive regional development strategy, Opposition leader Andrew Little… ...

Failure to get the TPP agreement across the line gives New Zealanders an opportunity to put more pressure on the Government not to sign away our sovereignty, Opposition leader Andrew Little says.“New Zealand land, dairy and medicines are up for… ...

After failing to protect the right to stop foreign speculators buying our houses it’s clear the Government is not going to get wins on dairy in their TPP negotiations either, Labour’s Trade and Export spokesperson David Parker says. “Labour has… ...

Yesterday the Rich List showed the number of people who have over 50 million of wealth had increased by another 15 people since last year. Collectively this group are now worth 55 billion, an increase of over 7% since last… ...

Yesterday the Rich List showed the number of people who have over 50 million of wealth had increased by another 15 people since last year. Collectively this group are now worth 55 billion, an increase of over 7% since last… ...

Yesterday the Rich List showed the number of people who have over 50 million of wealth had increased by another 15 people since last year. Collectively this group are now worth 55 billion, an increase of over 7% since last… ...

Former Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has been thrown under the bus by her successor after its been suggested that Ms Bennett gave the green light to an ‘unethical’ observational study of high-risk children, Labour Children’s spokesperson Jacinda Ardern says.… ...

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Draft Transition Recovery Plan on behalf of the New Zealand Labour Party. It is important that the citizens of Canterbury have a voice in the governance of the next step of… ...

Yesterday the Government released the cabinet paper on progress on the work programme of the Ministerial Group on Family Violence and Sexual Violence. Along with the Human Rights Commissioner and Women’s Refuge, I really welcome the report. I’m relieved that… ...

Yesterday the Government released the cabinet paper on progress on the work programme of the Ministerial Group on Family Violence and Sexual Violence. Along with the Human Rights Commissioner and Women’s Refuge, I really welcome the report. I’m relieved that… ...

In 2010, National rammed the Electoral (Disqualification of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill through Parliament. Paul Quinn’s Member’s Bill existed because Paul Quinn thought anyone who’d been imprisoned was a serious offender, and serious offenders had ‘forfeited’ their right to vote.… ...

The Government has been given a serve by New Zealand-based international trucking and logistics firm Mainfreight which says it lacks a national transport strategy, and has treated rail badly, Labour's Transport spokesperson Phil Twyford says. The company has told shareholders it… ...

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is embarking on a campaign to fight the changes that weaken the Health and Safety Reform bill. As part of the campaign the CTU has organised vigils with the display of 291 crosses… ...

Farmers must be given every assurance that all potential risks have been considered before Silver Fern Farms opens its door to foreign equity, Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor says. “The ongoing saga involving the meat sector and amalgamation has… ...

Labour has moved to have the second flag referendum canned if the first attracts fewer than half the eligible number of voters, Opposition Leader Andrew Little says. “John Key has already wasted more than $8 million on his vanity project… ...

New figures obtained by Labour show the ACC Minister’s botched motor vehicle levy system has resulted in 90,000 vehicles having to be reclassified so far – at a cost of $6 million, Labour’s ACC spokesperson Sue Moroney says. “Nikki Kaye’s… ...

Chronic under-funding by National has seen the health budget slashed by $1.7 billion in just five years, Labour’s Health spokesperson Annette King says. A report by Infometrics, commissioned by Labour, shows health funding has been cut in four of the… ...

The news that two Serco inmates have been arrested for helping to run a methamphetamine ring from prison should be the final straw and see their contract cancelled, says Labour’s Corrections Spokesperson Kelvin Davis. “National has stood by Serco despite… ...

A proposal being considered by the Government would see some people having to pay more for health care and district health boards forced to fight amongst themselves to fund regional health services, Labour’s Health spokesperson Annette King says “Information leaked… ...

The trouble with the Charter school model is that it is a publicly funded experiment on children. The National Government has consistently put its desire to open charter schools ahead of the safety of the children in them, ignoring repeated… ...

News that an unnamed bank in Ashburton has put a receiver on notice over financially vulnerable farmers will send a chill through rural New Zealand, says Labour’s Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson. “The Government needs to work with New Zealand’s banks… ...

John Key yesterday admitted what National dishonestly refused to confirm in Parliament last week – he is trading away New Zealand’s right to control who buys our homes and land, says Opposition leader Andrew Little. “The Prime Minister must now… ...

Plans by the Government to take a scalpel to democratically elected health boards are deceitful and underhand, coming just months after an election during which they were never signalled, Labour’s Health spokesperson Annette King says “Leaked documents reveals a radical… ...

Corrections Spin Doctors sending their place holder lines to journalists instead of responding to serious allegations shows the scale of chaos at the department over the Serco scandal, says Labour’s Corrections Spokesperson Kelvin Davis. “As more and more serious allegations… ...

A High Court ruling that a law banning prisoners from voting is inconsistent with a properly functioning democracy should be a wake-up call for the Government, Labour’s Justice spokesperson Jacinda Ardern says. In an unprecedented ruling Justice Paul Heath has… ...

Congratulations are due to the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGFNZ) who have won their legal case around how the Ministry of Health decided to award their contracts for problem gambling services to another service provider. Congratulations are due not just for&hellip; ...

This week, the Environmental Protection Authority Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament. The Bill puts protection of the environment into the core purpose of the Environmental Protection Authority. This month, Dr Allan Freeth, the former Chief Executive of… ...

The killing of a security guard on his first night on the job is exactly the kind of incident that National’s watered-down health and safety bill won’t prevent, says Te Atatu MP Phil Twyford. The coronial inquest into 22-year-old Charanpreet… ...

Increasing numbers of single parents are being penalised under a regime that is overly focussed on sanctions rather than getting more people into work, Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni says. “Figures, obtained through Parliamentary questions show 3000 more sanctions,… ...

Hekia Parata’s decision to keep troubled Whangaruru Charter school open despite being presented with a catalogue of failure defies belief, goes against official advice and breaks a Government promise to close these schools if they were failing, says Labour’s Education… ...

Yesterday I attended the launch of a new initiative developed by and for Asian, Middle eastern and African youth to support young people to name and get support if there is domestic violence at home. The impact on children of… ...

The Government’s handling of the Problem Gambling Foundation’s axing in a cost-cutting exercise has been ham-fisted and harmful to some of the most vulnerable people in society, Associate Health Labour spokesperson David Clark says.“Today’s court ruling overturning the axing of… ...

The Labour Party will not support the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement unless key protections for New Zealanders are met, Opposition leader Andrew Little says.“Labour supports free trade. However, we will not support a TPP agreement that undermines New Zealand’s sovereignty. ...

Resident doctors have advised that a severe staffing shortage at North Shore Hospital is putting patients’ lives at risk, Labour’s Health spokesperson Annette King says. “They say a mismatch between staffing levels and patient workloads at North Shore has… ...

Six months’ paid parental leave is back on the agenda and a step closer to reality for Kiwi parents after Labour’s new Member’s Bill was pulled from today’s ballot, the Bill’s sponsor and Labour MP Sue Moroney says. “My Bill… ...

New requirements for sole parents to undertake a reapplication process after a year is likely to mean a large number will face benefit cancellations, but not because they have obtained work, Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni says. “Increasing numbers… ...

Last week the government’s major initiative to combat child poverty (a paltry $25 increase) was exposed for what it is, a lie. The Government, through the Budget this year, claims to be engaging in the child poverty debate, but instead,… ...

The Reserve Bank's decision to cut the Official Cash Rate to 3 per cent shows there is no encore for the so-called 'rock star' economy, says Labour's Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson. "Today's interest rate cut comes off the back… ...

In my short 33 years on this planet we’ve seen phenomenal technological, economic and social change, and it’s realistic to expect the next 33 will see even more, even faster change. You can see it in the non-descript warehouse near… ...

A Bill that puts the environment squarely into legislation governing the Environmental Protection Authority passed its first reading today, says Meka Whaitiri. “I introduced this member’s bill as the current law doesn’t actually make protecting the environment a goal of… ...

KiwiSaver statistics released today expose John Key's claim that the cutting of the kickstart payment "will not make a blind bit of difference to the number of people who join KiwiSaver” to be duplicitous, says Labour Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Official… ...

All New Zealanders should be treated fairly at work. Currently, the law allows non-employment relationships to be used to get around the minimum wage. This is unfair, says Labour MP David Parker. “The Minimum Wage (Contractor Remuneration) Amendment Bill, a… ...

The Government’s rubber-stamping of every one of the nearly 400 applications from overseas investors to buy New Zealand farm land over the last three years proves tougher laws are needed, Labour MP Phil Goff says. “In the last term of… ...

John Key must ditch the flag referendum before any more taxpayer money is wasted, Opposition Leader Andrew Little says. “Millions of dollars could be saved if the Prime Minister called a halt to this hugely expensive, and highly unpopular, vanity… ...

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The Coalition of Selwyn Supporters will hold a public meeting Wednesday 5th August 7pm, at Pt Chevalier Primary School Auditorium to call on the Selwyn Foundation to lead the way in aged care by paying a Living Wage to their… ...

For 19 people in West Auckland, home is living and sleeping on the streets of Waitakere. Their story and the circumstances of their life is captured in the latest report of The Salvation Army, “Hard Times”. The report details an… ...

For 19 people in West Auckland, home is living and sleeping on the streets of Waitakere. Their story and the circumstances of their life is captured in the latest report of The Salvation Army, “Hard Times”. The report details an… ...

It is long past time the New Zealand Government took the people into its confidence and explained their position on the TPPA. There is a lot of information floating about through leaks on Wikileaks etc but our elected representative along… ...

It is long past time the New Zealand Government took the people into its confidence and explained their position on the TPPA. There is a lot of information floating about through leaks on Wikileaks etc but our elected representative along… ...

It is long past time the New Zealand Government took the people into its confidence and explained their position on the TPPA. There is a lot of information floating about through leaks on Wikileaks etc but our elected representative along… ...

Te Kaha And Endeavour Berth in Auckland The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS TE KAHA and tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR returned to the Devonport Naval Base this morning after being deployed since early this year. The ships entered Auckland harbour… ...

“The Prime Minister and the Trade Negotiations Minister have been handed a golden opportunity to shore up flagging support for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement”, says Democrats for Social Credit Deputy Leader, Chris Leitch. ...

In commemoration of the one year anniversary of the murder of nearly 2000 captive Palestinians in Gaza, taxpayers will today picket the NZ Superfund office to oppose the investment of New Zealanders money into companies which profit off Israel’s ...

The Human Rights Commission is preparing to intervene in a Bible in Schools case in the High Court in Auckland, and this could even up the odds in what was shaping up to be a David v Goliath battle. ...

The stalling of yesterday’s TPPA negotiations in Maui provide light relief for the citizens of New Zealand, but we cannot be complacent in thinking that our Government will not continue on signing our country up to a deal that may… ...

Everyone who has opposed the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into their districts needs to be alarmed at the way central Government is moving to over-ride local council regulations about this matter, says Kelvin Davis, Labour ...

‘The “final” ministerial meeting on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) in Maui has failed. Not opting to stay another day shows the gridlock is serious and potentially intractable’, according to University of Auckland law professor ...

Retailers will be pleased by news reports that Revenue Minister Todd McClay is taking a paper to Cabinet this month that will allow New Zealand retailers to compete on a fair basis with foreign websites by substantially reducing the threshold… ...

Lisa Owen: Now, changing tack now. Nancy Gibbs is the first woman to lead the iconic Time magazine. What's more, she's leading it into the digital age with her appointment in 2013, heralding a shake-up in the magazine's online offerings.… ...

Headlines: With sanctions being lifted on Iran, McCully says there are big opportunities for New Zealand businesses in Iran and some have been giving the market a lot of thought. “…the opportunities are significant in the short-term and even bigger… ...

Foreign Minister Murray McCully talks to Tova O’Brien in New York about what opportunities the Iran deal creates for New Zealand, whether the families of the MH17 victims will ever get justice, and he has stern words for the world’s… ...

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) is keen to learn more about how the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) will impact New Zealand’s health sector if it is accepted by the Government. ...

Secrecy of TPPA documents heads to court A legal challenge to the secrecy of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations will be launched in the High Court next week. An urgent application for judicial review will challenge Trade Minister ...

Navy Ships Arriving Home After Long Deployments The frigate HMNZS TE KAHA and tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR will arrive at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland at 10am this Sunday 2 August, after long overseas deployments. Over 1100 family and friends… ...

Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA) is concerned about the potential for a proposed study on new born children to go awry unless the paramountcy principle of commitment to the Care and Protection of Children is upheld. This commitment means that… ...

Responding to the report that Auckland’s Councillors and Mayor Len Brown look set for a 2.3 per cent pay increase, just days after voting to increase the average rates burden by 9.9 per cent, Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesperson, Carmel Claridge, says: ...

Responding to the report that Auckland’s Councillors and Mayor Len Brown look set for a 2.3 per cent pay increase, just days after voting to increase the average rates burden by 9.9 per cent, Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesperson, Carmel Claridge, says: ...

Responding to the report that Auckland’s Councillors and Mayor Len Brown look set for a 2.3 per cent pay increase, just days after voting to increase the average rates burden by 9.9 per cent, Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesperson, Carmel Claridge, says: ...

After 3 years of legal battle the government has now agreed to make full offers to commercial and vacant land owners whose properties were illegally red-zoned. However it decided to single out self-insured homeowners and offers nothing for their homes. ...

Strong response to Draft Transition Recovery Plan The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) has started analysing more than 2500 written comments received on the transition of recovery arrangements in greater Christchurch. The Recovery Plan ...

Heard you were able to get back to your dad’s turangawaewae last week. Mean … hope you had a good catch up with the whanau. I also hear you’re getting ready to endorse the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), and I’m… ...

The family of Lecretia Seales has decided not to appeal the High Court decision in the case of Seales v. Attorney General released to the public by Justice Collins last month on June 5th. Ms Seales passed away several hours… ...

Auckland’s only centre-right Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry says in light of massive rates increases it is inappropriate for the Mayor or any Councillors to be accepting a pay increase. “I propose that until such time as the Council passes a… ...

Predictive risk model in the prevention of child abuse – UNICEF NZ urges caution Research and testing of a predictive risk model to assist in identifying and responding to children at risk of child abuse is important work but must… ...

"Dow AgroSciences, Fonterra and Methanex are three named sponsors of Taranaki Regional Council's Environmental Awards. Their sponsorships makes a total mockery of these awards. This is akin to a weapons manufacturer sponsoring a peace scholarship" ...

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll. Source: Professor Jane Kelsey. Professor Jane Kelsey. ‘The “final” ministerial meeting on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) in Maui… ...

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll. Statement of Lori Wallach, Director, Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch – Yet Another ‘Final’ TPP Ministerial and Again No Deal; Not… ...

Michael Woodhouse. Image courtesy of TheStandard.org.nz. Analysis by Keith Rankin. This article was also published on TheDailyBlog.co.nz. On Q+A (TVNZ) on 12 July, Michael Woodhouse, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety discussed ‘Zero-Hour’ labour contracts as a subset… ...

Report by NewsroomPlus.com MGSM Release: Sydney and Melbourne property prices have grown at more than 15 per cent per annum over the last three years, outperforming any other Australian markets and creating a bubble, says Nobel Prize winning economist Professor… ...

Report by NewsroomPlus.comNew Zealanders love their holidays and according to recent data released by Statistics NZ, last month alone 198,800 kiwis took a vacation. For the year ending June 2015, over 2.3 million New Zealanders left New Zealand to… ...

Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Dr Bryce Edwards. Should we celebrate the super rich in New Zealand or see their growing wealth as a cause of inequality and division? The publication of the NBR’s latest annual Rich List… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest features 7 resourceful links of the day and the politics pulse from Friday 31st July.NEWSROOM_MONITORTop stories in the current news cycle include the progress of the controversial controversial Health and Safety Reform Bill… ...

Source: Professor Jane Kelsey. Professor Jane Kelsey. A legal challenge to the secrecy of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations will be launched in the High Court next week.An urgent application for judicial review will challenge Trade… ...

Source:Smokefreerockquest – Nelson Media Agency – Press Release/Statement: Headline: SMOKEFREEROCKQUEST 2015 NATIONAL FINALISTS ANNOUNCEDThe top nine Smokefreerockquest national finalists were announced today, the crème of the 700 bands and solo/duos who entered the nationwide youth music contest this year.Contenders… ...

Report by NewsroomPlus.comContributed by Amanda CarringtonWellington celebrated a milestone last weekend, reaching 150 years as New Zealand’s capital. Thousands of Wellingtonians were enticed to explore the many churches, universities, museums and government buildings the city has to offer. But… ...

Report by NewsroomPlus.comThe speech text below was used by Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully used to open the Open Debate: Peace and security challenges facing Small Island Developing States, at the UN Security Council, July 30, 2015 (New York… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest features 6 resourceful links of the day and the politics pulse from Thursday 30th July.NEWSROOM_MONITORTop stories in the current news cycle include information showing that Social Development Minister Anne Tolley has confined anew… ...

Analysis by Keith Rankin. This article was also published on Scoop.co.nz.On Morning Report on Friday (24 July), I heard the following exchange between Guyon Espiner and Finance Minister, Bill English.Guyon Espiner: “So what’s the good bit about allowing… ...

Source: Scope Media – PERRIAM. Merino sheep being mustered on Bendigo Station overlooking, Lake Dunstan. Luxury merino fashion brand PERRIAM has been selected for a special showcase on wool in fashion at the prestigious New Zealand Fashion Week… ...

…he can do anything he wants….his suit is 100% NASA-engineered teflon & stuff… …so it’s been such an amazing run that el presidente recently decided on a make over and costuming – because he can…because he can do what… ...

Political roundup by Dr Bryce Edwards Dr Bryce Edwards. $100,000 a year to imprison a person is a lot of money. That’s the striking figure at the centre of the current prison scandal and debate, in a country… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest features 5 resourceful links of the day and the politics pulse from Wednesday 29th July.NEWSROOM_MONITORTop stories in the current news cycle include the possibility of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks coming… ...

Investigation by Carolyn Skelton.Negative side effects of isotretinoinIn my research of the acne last resort drug, isotretinoin, I came across a couple of issues related to the impact of Big Pharma, Pharmac, and potential impacts of the TPP.… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest features 5 resourceful links of the day and the politics pulse from Tuesday 28th July.NEWSROOM_MONITOR Top stories in the current news cycle include more leaked documents that show the funding of District Health Boards… ...

Analysis by Keith Rankin – This article was also published on Scoop.co.nz.In response to my Money, Flow and Debt (Daily Blog and Evening Report, 25 July 2015) one reader responded to my comments about money hoarding and compensatory debt&hellip; ...

Source: Hot Topic – By Gareth Renowden – Analysis published with permission of Hot-Topic.co.nz Headline: A tale of two hemispheres At the end of June, Professor Jim Renwick of Victoria University gave his inaugural lecture. As you might expect of… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains 9 links for the day from Monday 27th July.Top stories in the current news cycle include concerns over a leaked document that reportedly shows the Government plans an overhaul to the governance of… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains 9 links for the day from Monday 27th July.Top stories in the current news cycle include concerns over a leaked document that reportedly shows the Government plans an overhaul to the governance of… ...

Source: Asia Pacific Lawyers Network.“Evidence is mounting of increasing numbers of internet romantics and international travellers risking their lives after being deceived, coerced and ultimately exploited by sophisticated international drug cartels,” New Zealand death penalty defence… ...

…exactly when am i a journalist? …the hager case has raised some big issues…is it time to professionalise journalism? …personally i think the hand-writing a tag or a name sticker that says “reporter” is the standard we should… ...

Eyes of Fire (fifth edition) launched Friday July 10, 2015. Opinion piece by Professor David Robie of AUT’s School of Communication Studies – David travelled on board the Rainbow Warrior for 10 weeks before the bombing and wrote the book&hellip; ...

Analysis by Keith Rankin – This article was also published on TheDailyBlog.co.nz.To sort out our intransigent economic problems, ordinary people need to understand how things actually work today and how things do not work. The peasants need to challenge… ...

Report by Alistar Kata – Pacific Media Centre/Pacific Media Watch.AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch): Most audiences are used to seeing Wairere Tame Iti as the Māori activist, who most notably shot the Australian flag at a 2005 Waitangi Tribunal… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains 8 media release snippets and 4 links for the day of Friday 24th July.Top stories in the current news cycle include more concerns about effects of the Government’s tougher welfare policy and the… ...

Report by NewsroomPlus.com – Contributed by Olexander BarnesWellington is the city where the vampire film “What we do in the Shadows” takes place, but there are more dangers on our streets than just vampires. Living Streets Aotearoa and the Urban Design… ...

Report by NewsroomPlus.comIt may be a fact of the news cycle that Thursday night’s release of research focused on asthma health literacy for Māori children in New Zealand – He Māramatanga Huangō – wasn’t destined to make the 6pm bulletin.… ...

Report by NewsroomPlus.comContributed by Amanda CarringtonNew research from a Victoria University professor shows a longer parole period will decrease the risk of prisoners reoffending. Psychology professor Devon Polaschek’s work Surviving the first year explores how prisoners who are… ...

Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup – The Housing apartheid problem Dr Bryce Edwards. There’s a social divide opening up in New Zealand cities, especially Auckland, over home ownership. But is the division about race or wealth? And what can… ...

Containing the impacts in NZ: Acne and isotretinoin IIIInvestigation by Carolyn Skelton.In my previous pieces I addressed problems with acne and a last resort anti-acne drug (isotretinoin); a drug which has tended towards being overused and under-regulated. Many… ...

Source: Royal New Zealand Ballet A magical world premiere from the RNZB – The Vodafone Season of A Midsummer Night’s DreamIn an unprecedented artistic coup the Royal New Zealand Ballet has commissioned one of the world’s most sought after choreographers… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains 8 media release snippets and 5 links for the day of Thursday 23rd July.Top stories in the current news cycle include a report from ACClaim Otago, a support group for injured people that… ...

Report by NewsroomPlus.comContributed by Olexander BarnesDebates on issues like euthanasia deserve the widest possible audience. It was fitting then that the lecture hall in the Otago campus next to Wellington hospital was packed full of people, all eager to… ...

Source: Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand New Civil Aviation Rules for unmanned aircraft coming into force next week will improve aviation safety for operators, other airspace users and people and property. Civil Aviation Rule Part 102… ...

Source:Reserve Bank of New Zealand Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler announced this morning that the Reserve Bank has reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 3.0 percent.Graeme Wheeler said the global economic growth remains moderate,… ...

Peter Godfrey and Selwyn Manning. Selwyn Manning and Australian radio station FiveAA’s Peter Godfrey deliver their weekly bulletin, Across The Ditch. This week New Zealand’s Corrections Minister Sam Lotu-Inga under pressure to resign after scandalous and tragic… ...

This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains 8 media release snippets and 4 links for the day of Tuesday 22nd July.Top stories in the current news cycle include Parliament unanimously passing legislation to fix a legal loophole that would have… ...

From The Virtual Desk of Ant Timpson. It all started with a synopsis and a poster submitted to a film competition. From 500 submissions, one winner emerged victorious. The filmmaker’s name was Jason Lei Howden and his winning idea was… ...